A CLAMPDOWN on illegal cycling and parking in Nailsea is being led by a community group and will be enforced by police.

Partners and Communities Together (PACT) for Nailsea, Tickenham, Wraxall and Failand, discussed a number of complaints from residents about illegal cycling on footpaths and in the precinct at a recent meeting, making the issue a priority for the rest of the summer.

PACT chairman Peter Smith said: “There are a number of children now cycling through the precinct with the schools being out and PACT members and the police will be keeping an eye on it.

“And it’s not just children we have a problem with but adults too, who cycle up the High Street pavements, causing a nuisance.”

PACT member Cllr Phil Barclay who reported back to a meeting of Nailsea Town Council last week said a problem with completing a new cycle path between Clevedon and Bristol might make the problem worse.

He said: “Sustrans has proposed an extension to the path but there is an issue with a section of the path through Nailsea as it’s a public right of way where cycling is prohibited.”

At the end of the summer holidays the group will shift priorities to parking outside schools which is an ongoing problem in the town.

Mr Smith said: “Residents who live near schools are fed up with people parking illegally and have put in numerous complaints to police.

“Officers will be out and about in September and will penalise drivers they find breaking the law.”

The group has been campaigning for yellow lines to be installed outside Hannah More Infant and Grove Junior schools, in Whiteoak Way, to combat the problem.

Treasurer John Hunter also told the meeting a campaign where police have been issuing tickets to people who obstruct the junction of Meadway Avenue and Hazlebury Road had been a success.

Speeding has also been targeted, with the group reporting a successful Speedwatch operation in June, when 28 drivers were clocked doing more than 35mph in a 30mph zone during an hour in Nailsea, Wraxall, Tickenham and Yatton.

A total of 18 of these were caught outside the fire station in Clevedon Road in Nailsea.

Another operation is scheduled for September and members will also be monitoring speeding outside schools along with parking issues.